The Rooks Shine

Spirited afternoon practice for these young 49ers and really the first time the rookies showed their stuff. Glen Coffee continues to run like his pants are alight. At one point he bulleted right up the back of fullback Zak Keasey.

Tight end Bear Pascoe exhibited some serious receiving skill, beating the beleaguered Reggie Smith twice in a row. On the first reception, he made a fine leaping grab.

Quarterback Nate Davis got his first action in team drills; his first pass did a nose dive into the turf. A few throws later, linebacker Jay Moore leapt and made a smothering interception. But Davis did have some highlights, including a searing pass over the middle to free-agent wide receiver Michael Spurlock. He also fired a fastball to free agent wide out Maurice Price that Smith should have intercepted. But the pass stood out for its stunning velocity. This guy has some skills.

If the quarterback competition ended today, Shaun Hill would be your starter. The label of poor practice player didn’t apply Saturday, he threw well short, intermediate and long, including a perfectly timed, albeit wobbly, bomb to Jason Hill who got past Marcus Hudson. Hill just seems to have a knack for his own limitations and makes up for it with quick reads and well-led passes. He also showed some leadership. After hitting Keasey with a quick pass that allowed the fullback to stride down field, Hill went out and slapped hands with Keasey while Keasey trotted back to the huddle.

Smith was no slouch, and seemed more fearless with his throws by passing before the receiver broke. But watching Hill’s body language and his ability to engage his teammates, it’s hard to imagine him not starting the season opener in Arizona.

Second-year receiver Josh Morgan seems fully geared for his impending training-camp competition with rookie Michael Crabtree. Morgan’s athleticism just seems to tower over everybody else. Both Crabtree and Morgan are slated for the “X” or split end position.

Smith, last year’s third-round pick, struggled in coverage, at one point getting turned around twice by Spurlock. However, he did recover quickly.

The 49ers won’t practice tomorrow and instead will conduct meetings. The team will re-assemble later in the month for another voluntary minicamp before an all-hands, mandatory camp in the beginning of June.